If proven to be the case, this would highlight a major security lapse by Turkish authorities.

Death toll

The official death toll stands at 95. Two explosions – the first reportedly larger than the second – ripped through a peace rally of pro-Kurdish and leftist activists in the centre of Ankara.

Leader of the pro-Kurdish HDP Selahattin Demirtaş said the number of victims may actually be as high as 128.

Autopsies are ongoing. The names of at least 77 victims have been officially released.

Officials warn the death toll is likely to rise. Some 248 people are being treated in hospital, almost 50 of whom are said to be in intensive care.

Who is to blame?

As the country begins three days of mourning, investigators are working on identifying the perpetrators.

Immediately after the attack, the HDP laid blame on the ruling AKP. Both parties have cancelled forthcoming rallies for the November 1 general election. However, government officials have said the election will go ahead as scheduled.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of the AKP dismissed accusations of involvement and instead suggested ISIL, Kurdish or far-left militants could have carried out the bombings.

Political talks

Davutoglu convened a hasty meeting with Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the CHP Party, in which the PM reportedly re-proposed a coalition. The opposition group had rejected a similar proposition following the June election.

A fresh election is scheduled because Davutoglu’s AKP failed to achieve an overall majority in the original vote and was subsequently unsuccessful in forming a coalition government.

Solidarity

In Germany, which boasts the largest Turkish population outside Turkey, some 3,000 people turned out for peaceful rallies on the evening of the explosions. The biggest marches were held in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. A number of smaller memorial events were held elsewhere in the country.